Revenge is ravenous beast never sated

There is information coming out of Afghanistan that SAS troops have gone there to hunt for those who killed their comrades in a bomb blast. Various sources seemed to have good information that this was the case but John Key has been quick to deny them. A following comment by him then cast a long shadow of doubt over his assurances. Mr Key said: "He can't be held to account if anyone is operating outside of the rules of engagement but there is no evidence they have and he does not believe that they have."

This evident lack of government authority over the actions of defence personal is a worry along with the pre-emptive buck-passing strategy just in case a sudden tactical retreat is needed.

Defence officials have also denied that that NZ troops are on a revenge mission to Afghanistan. Badly wounded by budget cutbacks and with morale at an all-time low, the notion of striking back at those who attacked and killed NZ soldiers might seem an attractive idea. It would be good to believe all the official reassurances that this is not the case as revenge is never a useful response. It tends to engender a bitter and vicious circle of violence which achieves little but hurts many.

Within the concept of revenge lies the endless misery of feuding; a grievance-driven machine, powered by perpetual emotion that cannot be controlled once it gains momentum. Most of us can recall tales of bitter battles between neighbours that go on for years and years, where both parties are obsessed with settling long held scores, listing imagined wins, losses and plotting.

If NZ troops were to opt for revenge against Afghanistan insurgents it might create an even greater ongoing threat to the safety of New Zealanders working to rebuild the war-stricken country's infrastructure.

Revenge is a dangerous beast. It has a long memory and an even longer reach. It can span generations, cross continents and create enmity between people who don't even know each other but are determined to carry their grievance to the grave. There are no winners.

History is littered with the bodies of both the givers and takers of revenge. The dimensions of revenge can be as big as war or as local as a back street stabbing but the loss of life rather than a loss of face leads only to perpetuate the critical loss of perspective.

If revenge is indeed a motivation for action in Afghanistan then it may be a good time to remember the old adage: The best form of revenge is to live well.

This response could take numerous forms. It may be the offer of a new life in NZ for those who have risked theirs working as interpreters for NZ officials. It may be a persistent push to increase the number of schools where girls can get an education or it may be that NZ abandons all military engagement in Afghanistan, including the secret SAS operations, to focus solely on reconstruction. It also presents a brilliant opportunity to demonstrate the real value of democracy by showing that decisions about our military involvement in foreign lands are not made or denied by the Prime Minister but by open parliamentary debate.

Terry Sarten is a writer, musician and social worker. Feedback or revenge please email: tgs@inspire.net.nz